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Fear of Cleats
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23-10-2007 8:22pm#1
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Ok I think I got the hang of it, you have to put pressure down and move to the side. That's probably not what I should be doing, but it got them out anyway
I still wont feel comfortable in a built up area though.
kenmc, are you saying to unclip and just freewheel through traffic, as in, not cycle again until the way is clear?
Do many of you use cleats for cycling through Dublin?0 -
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its just i lost a screw out of my spds (new shoes) and it was noticeable how difficult it was to take them out same with the looks.
This happened with my SPDs too, almost with disasterous consequences. One of the cleats became loose, so when I turned my heel to remove it the cleat moved rather than unclipping... took a few seconds to realise what was happening, scary moment. My left foot remained stuck in the pedal until I had to remove the shoe to get my left foot loose!
Moral - check your screws 0 -
When I first got SPD's I fell off 3 times.
Once at home on the grass, once when a pedestrian walked out in front of me and I had to stop suddenly and once when I had to stop in traffic.
When I say I fell off I mean I just tipped sideways with no foot to put down
Now using them for about 3 years and I couldn't really go back, it's 2nd nature just to clip out, even in a hurry you can be just as quick. I used flats recently and tried a bunny hop to have my leg fly off and scraped my shin on the pedal.
Stick with the SPD's as the are well worth it 0 -
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Ok, so I took a break from cycling since this thread and hadn't tested the cleats. I've been out twice on them now and I can't say I like them. Yeah they are good for when you're actually moving, but a lot of the area I cycle in is stop and start and the maximum distance between traffic lights or a junction would be maybe 1 or 2km.
I've almost fallen twice with them, once when I was slowing down at a light and then when I was actually stationary with my left foot still locked in and my balance went and I was falling to my left and I actually had enough time to think "ok this is it, I'm finally falling with them". Somehow, my left foot came loose and I just managed to get it to the ground on time
I also feel I can't be as aggressive/dedicated with the fear of not being able to stop instantly and ground myself. I find I'm cycling a lot slower and passively and not maintaining progress or pushing myself. Yes, all because of cleats!
Hmm, not too sure if I'm going to keep them or not..0 -
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I've been to France already but I didn't get on the bike, the area I was in was too built up and I only ended up staying there for 2 days instead of about 4 or 5 which was the original plan
The pedals I have are Look A3i in red. Then the cleats I have are Look Ergo cleats (the red ones too, so some 'float' as opposed to the black which has no float).
Would the ones with no float be safer and easier to clip out?
One of the things I used to do at traffic lights was try and not touch the ground and just balance myself stationary, I got pretty good at it haha, I wouldn't dare try it with cleats on though! For those of you who are used to the cleats, would you ever do something like this? I mean, is it possible to get THAT used to wearing them? 0 -
The pedals I have are Look A3i in red. Then the cleats I have are Look Ergo cleats (the red ones too, so some 'float' as opposed to the black which has no float).
Would the ones with no float be safer and easier to clip out?
One of the things I used to do at traffic lights was try and not touch the ground and just balance myself stationary, I got pretty good at it haha, I wouldn't dare try it with cleats on though! For those of you who are used to the cleats, would you ever do something like this? I mean, is it possible to get THAT used to wearing them?
I've never used the black ones, only red and grey. I like having a little bit of float. I doubt it makes a difference for disengaging.
Track standing is what you are talking about. The bike should rock ever so slightly forwards and backwards as apposed to actually staying deadly still. It is easier on a track bike, hence the name.
I can half do it, but I'm not very good at it. You get pretty quick at unclipping when practicing track stands 0 -
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Sounds like you are having more than your fair share of issues Cormie. I only started using them recently (last few months) and like you I was seriously dubious about my ability to clip out. But I have to say that it only took me one or 2 outings to come to grips (and not) with the system.
I commute a few times a week across the city during ruch hour and for a few days I found it daunting. But as other posters say:
* Clip out on your slowdown to traffic lights (or other impediments).
* LEFT foot always, since it is the one closest to kerb.
* Yes you can still try balancing... no reason why not.
* Try to find a traffic light pole or rail to hold on to (to avoid unclipping).
* If you're going to fall... 99.9% of the time the fright will force your foot out.
* Make sure the system is at it's loosest
* Practice
* Practice
* Practice
Good Luck.. stick with it and you won't loook back.
My issue now is that I will have to mix cycling shoes/cleats AND running shoes during Triathlons for the first time this year.0 -
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One of the things I used to do at traffic lights was try and not touch the ground and just balance myself stationary, I got pretty good at it haha, I wouldn't dare try it with cleats on though! For those of you who are used to the cleats, would you ever do something like this? I mean, is it possible to get THAT used to wearing them?
Yes, it is possible. I originally got used to doing that with toeclips and straps on (with the straps loose and no cleats on my shoes) but despite that seeming to be easier/safer than clipless in fact it can be more dodgy as your foot can snag much more easily on the clip or strap when you have to put it down suddenly. Doing a track stand with clipless pedals is initially daunting but it is actually easier to balance the bike while clipped in as you have more direct control over the bike. The motion of twisting your foot to unclip is actually a fairly natural movement so you'll probably find that you do it without thinking when you have to.
Getting comfortable with doing a track stand is very useful, in my opinion. Anything that helps you develop a better feel for the bike, and therefore better control over it, will help you in the long run and as your confidence builds you'll find your skill does too. And your bike handling skills can safe your life.
Similarly, I think it is very important to get comfortable with putting either foot down when you stop. Obviously, riding on the left side of the road usually means that putting your left foot down is safer so that traffic beside you doesn't remove your leg for you, but you never know when you might have to put your right foot down in an emergency stop and being comfortable with doing so helps a lot (I still favour my left leg, despite my efforts, which means that whenever I lean the bike to the right, on a bend for example, I don't have quite the same confidence as when I lean to the other side, which probably makes me more likely to land on my arse on a right turn at some point).
As already said, getting used to clipless pedals is all about practice and once you get used to them you'll find it hard to do without them. Of course if they are proving so daunting to use that you are avoiding using the bike at all, then that makes them a less easy choice. The cleats for pedals like your Look ones add an extra challenge because they make it difficult to keep your foot on the back of the pedal which can add to your nervousness - if the Look's don't work out for you, it would be worth considering pedals that involve cleats recessed into the shoes (might require changing your shoes too, though), such as these or even these if you prefer a larger platform on the pedal.
Oh, might be stating the obvious here, but when clipping your foot out, the easiest position to do that is when the pedal is at the lowest point of the revolution (you get greater leverage, and your body weight it at a good point so you don't easily lose your balance once unclipped) so when practicing get used to clipping out in this position. When you get more comfortable you'll find that you can clip out at other points in the revolution too, it's just a bit more challenging.0 -
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Arghhh, was just out for another cycle yesterday and still felt the same with the cleats. Just can't get comfortable with them on. Have no confidence and ride along as if I've just learned how to cycle
Would a pair of these:
not be just as good for keeping your feet to the pedal, but a lot safer in heavy traffic as you can just put your feet on the underside (not in the strap). Where would I get a good pair of them would anyone know? 0 -
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